A theater professor at Austin Peay State University (APSU) has been reinstated three months after he was fired over social media comments about Charlie Kirk, after the school admitted it did not follow proper policy, The Tennessean reports. A spokesperson confirmed on Dec. 31 that Darren Michael was fully reinstated as a tenured professor. Michael was fired on Sept. 12 after posts he made about Kirk were widely shared online. In October, the school reversed his termination, saying he was instead suspended while administration began the process of ending his tenure. APSU President Mike Licari said in an email that the university “did not follow the required tenure termination process in this matter.”

More Tennessee agencies are signing up to help the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforce federal immigration law as part of the Immigration Enforcement Grant Program, which provides grants to local governments participating in the federal 287(g) program. According to Fox 17, the number of agencies partnering with ICE to assist in the enforcement, detention and removal of undocumented immigrants has grown from 11 to more than 40 in six months. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows that 40 counties have now signed up for the program. The state has set aside $5 million for the grants.

The city of Knoxville and the family of Anthony Thompson Jr. will attend a Jan. 7 settlement conference in Chattanooga, with a settlement deadline scheduled for Jan. 14. The case centers on whether officers’ actions in the minutes after a 2021 shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School caused Thompson unnecessary pain and suffering, a claim revived by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals after it dismissed allegations of wrongful arrest and excessive force. In recent rulings and filings, judges have limited expert testimony, and both sides have asked to exclude evidence they argue would unfairly prejudice a jury, as the court prepares for a trial focused solely on the adequacy of medical care provided at the scene. Knox News has more on the developments.

Tennessee recorded 147 fewer traffic deaths in 2025 than in 2024, according to data released by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Tennessee's Fatality Analysis Reporting System data through Dec. 30 shows 1,045 roadway deaths statewide, down from 1,194 the previous year, a decrease of about 14%, Action News 5 reports. State officials said much of the reduction was driven by improvements in Memphis and Shelby County. “This is meaningful progress, and it represents lives saved,” said Col. Matt Perry, commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “Our troopers see the consequences of dangerous driving every day. Enforcement, education and visibility matter, and we will continue working to slow drivers down, curb impaired driving and reinforce seat belt use across the state.”

Prosecutors agree that ex-Rep. Robin Smith should be resentenced for her role in the Phoenix Solutions public corruption case, the Tennessee Journal reports. Last month, the Hixson Republican filed a motion asking for a judge to re-sentence her to probation after President Donald Trump pardoned former House Speaker Glen Casada and his one-time aide Cade Cothren. Smith is asking for probation and removal of a $7,500 fine in light of the pardons for her two co-defendants. A motion filed with federal Judge Eli Richardson argues that Smith “should be resentenced to a term of probation and have the fine reduced to $0 in order to mitigate the manifest injustice that will result from Ms. Smith being the only one of the three conspirators to face criminal sanctions.”

The Tennessean looks at Alberto Gonzales’ tenure as dean of Belmont University’s College of Law. Gonzales, who served as White House counsel and U.S. attorney general in the George W. Bush administration before joining the school, will step down at the end of the academic year. He has spent 12 years at the school and nearly 10 years as dean. Gonzales says he plans to remain in Middle Tennessee and continue to find ways to serve following retirement. The piece explores how Gonzales found his way to Belmont and reflects on the things he thinks lead to success in life.

The Council of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has appointed a special advisory committee to assist in reviewing the standards for the approval of law schools. The committee will be guided by the council’s “Core Principles and Values” and will focus on “ensuring that the council’s standards enable law schools to innovate and provide a quality legal education without imposing needless burdens or costs.” It will gather information from key constituencies and provide counsel on what changes to the standards are appropriate. The committee is made up of state supreme court justices and law school deans and professors. Read more in a news release from the ABA.

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to hand over internal emails and records showing why high-level officials pushed for criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The order, issued on Dec. 3, recently was unsealed, according to The Tennessean. Prosecutors have said officials provided "appropriate oversight" in the case. The order came in proceedings challenging Abrego Garcia's prosecution as vindictive. In October, Crenshaw ruled there is some evidence the government brought charges out of vindictiveness. He set the next hearing for Jan. 26, 2026. Abrego Garcia faces two charges in Tennessee: conspiracy to transport aliens and unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens. In related news, immigration officials now say they do not plan to detain Abrego Garcia again as long as a judge’s order banning it stands, according to the Associated Press.

The random lottery for H-1B visas heavily used by the tech sector will be swapped with a selection process that favors highly paid workers under a Trump administration rule released last week. According to Reuters, the rule will take effect Feb. 27, 2026, as part of the administration’s plan to block visas for lower-paid jobs. Giving employers an incentive to petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers would “strengthen America’s competitiveness,” according to a government spokesperson. But employer groups warn such a change would undercut the administration’s goal of prioritizing the most economically valuable workers.

The TBA will be closed Thursday in observance of New Year’s Day and will reopen at 8 a.m. CST on Friday. Visit the TBA website to access CLE offerings for your year-end needs and contact information for individual staff members. Happy New Year!